Jacob

Hall of Fame

Posts : 5694

NFL.com's Albert Breer reports a "pre-requisite" for ESPN's Jon Gruden to return to coaching would be a "franchise quarterback."Per Breer, Gruden "really likes" Oakland's Derek Carr. Chucky is rumored to be atop the Raiders' wish list for a new head coach, but Gruden rumors have been an annual tradition with no pay off. At this point, Gruden is so comfortable — and good — in the broadcast booth we have a hard time believing he'd depart for a reunion with a team that's the biggest circus in all of football. Stranger things have happened, of course.

Jacob

Hall of Fame

Posts : 5694

The Raiders fired head coach Dennis Allen late Monday night. On Tuesday, they held a press conference where owner Mark Davis and GM Reggie McKenzie announced that McKenzie made the call to fire Allen and Davis agreed with it. The two also announced that OL coach Tony Sparano will be the interim head coach. Sparano was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2008-2011, amassing a 29-31 record before getting canned 13 games into the 2011 campaign. After announcing Sparano as the interim coach, all three men agreed that the roster in Oakland isn't/wasn't the problem. That's laughable, but whatever helps them sleep at night. The Raiders are an old, worn-down squad running on empty, with a mix of young players that has yet to do much of anything at the NFL level.

Davis said after naming Sparano the for-now head coach that Sparano has a chance to earn the permanent job. We don't buy it, but crazier things have happened. But the big news surrounding the Raiders on Tuesday was when Davis mentioned that he'll likely reach out to ex-Raiders head coach and current ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden. Davis and Gruden remain friends, and Gruden reportedly "really likes" Derek Carr as a potential franchise quarterback. Gruden would likely want control of the roster in a czar-like role and a boat load of cash. And Davis might be the guy that will give it to him. The Raiders have months to figure this thing out, and there will undoubtedly be plenty of twists and turns, but we're already off to a fun start. There's speculation that if Gruden doesn't want the job, Jim Harbaugh would be Davis' next phone call. Whoever ends up getting the gig, it will likely be a big name. That would almost certainly force McKenzie out the door, which would b